1999

1999

Game Returns to OB Stadium
The 65th annual FedEx Orange Bowl made a curtain call to the stadium it called home for more than 60 years, Orange Bowl Stadium.

The Florida Gators also made a return to the Orange Bowl, playing in the game for the first time since 1967. Using a 28-point first half, the Gators easily strolled to victory over Syracuse 31-10.

Florida gave the heavily partisan Gator crowd of 67,919 a show in the first quarter, using the quick strike to score on drives that totaled 39 and 40 seconds, respectively. Florida’s quarterback duo of Doug Johnson and Jesse Palmer finished 22-of-31 for 308 yards. Palmer finished 10-of-14 for 113 yards with one rushing and one passing touchdown, while Johnson finished 12-of-17 with 195 yards and two touchdown strikes.

Syracuse All-American quarterback Donovan McNabb was held to 14-of-30 passing for 192 yards.